Holidays...and Football..we wanna win!!

Thanksgiving week and this is where we stand.  LSU is ranked #1..Geaux Tigers!! Who Dat Gonna Beat Dem Saints? We wanna go to the SuperBowl! We have visitiors coming in for Thanksgiving Dinner, heading to Houston for a pre-Christmas visit with Tamara and Mark. Our yearly drive to Natchitoches to see the Christmas lights on Cane River. Christmas Eve/Day, New Years Eve/Day, Saints play New Years Day!!, Sugar Bowl Jan 3(Mark will be going) and the BCS...it's gotta be LSU...we're on top! Geaux Tigers!! t'lynn

August..A month of smiles:)

Sunday Morning on Jackson Square

Smiles all summer and it's not going to stop here. Halfway through 2011 and the year has been filled with happiness, fun, and work. Keep the smile and start walking into August, the end of summer, hurricanes, and the beginning of football season...Who Dat! t

Lovin' Louisiana Summers

  July 1 found me in the cool mountains of New Mexico. Great fun ,frolic, family and too much food. We flew home on July 5, landing in Alexandria around 10:30 pm. I didn't want the car to pick me up. I wanted to walk to the car luggage in tow. The humidity felt like a welcome kiss. Everytime I depart and return to AEX I appreciate the Alexandria airport: stylish and convenient.

 This week brought me back home and back to work. Chuck will be in New Orleans for the last week of July. I'm planning a trip to the Big Easy for a few days too. I never tire of the "city of New Orleans". So much beauty, history, culture, and again too much food. Record setting heat temps and 100+ percent humidity not a problem for me. It would feel odd if it were any different. As soon as I step out on the Jackson Square I am amazed at the beauty of the city. If you look for ugly you will see it there but I never look at the city in that manner. I always see the city as beautiful in everything..heat, humidity, and hurricanes. There's a story on every corner. Drewsy and I want to hear them all.

t'lynn

Knock-knock..a new door

I searched high and low,viewed multiple catalogs and drove through neighborhoods searching for a front door. I went with the one I liked and not one I had seen on another house. After a 6 week special order wait the door was installed. Thank-you Mr.Lowe's.

Gnome Spotting..

  Mr. Travelocity gnome will take me places, but someone moved in when Mr. Travelocity hit the road. I spotted a Saints Gnome taking "thyme" for a rest in my herb garden today. I'm no fan of "yard art" that said, little man will stay for the season. Tucked away between the sweet basil, tarragon, and rosemary he makes me smile. I found myself talking to him. Gnome "Drewpy" is a great listener! 

   Heading west for Easter weekend with Tamara and Mark. A stopover en route:

 "Ann:An Affectionate Portrait of Ann Richards" at the The Grand Opera House in Galveston. We'll be hitting the seawall with Glenda and Dave, again. Love this town and it's history. The hurricane of 1900 had Galveston by all accounts "off the grid". Galvestonians came back not only to honor but feel the wrath of Mother Nature every year. Without fail, Galveston is standing and open for business  Marking every event with a symbol. A simple marking "water level here" or a stately monument on the Seawall Mother Nature makes her mark and Galveston gives a "wink and nod" to her. Take in island and it's history if the chance surfaces.

   Speaking of history, I just had a long phone conversation with Beverly. One of my dear lifelong friends. While we did not solve any world woes we did catch up on topics of the day, week, and month. Walt Whitman said," I no doubt deserved my enemies, but don't believe I  deserved my friends". My friend circle may be small but safety is found with my friends so important in my life. You know who you are...Cheers to all of you! 

    Love, love, love, ~t~

Our New Vacation: Off the Beaten Path, Long Weekends, Historic Hotels

   February's coming to an end. Coworkers, family, and friends are marking calendar dates for trips, weddings, graduations, celebrations, and vacations. Our next long weekend will have us in Dallas. Ali is running in the Dallas Rock'nRoll half-marathon in March. Plan to enjoy Big D. We are staying at "the Adolphus" a historic Dallas hotel.  Add to the fun aunt Glenda, uncle Dave, and Tamara will be joining us at the hotel. We have a family dinner planned Saturday night with "hotel group", plus Dallas residents Autumn and Morgan for more family fun. Hoping Angie will make it a full house! Looking forward to Dallas and seeing bluebonnets in bloom. Many years ago,Glenda and I set a plan in motion: visit the beautiful, historic hotels throughout the South, we've made great progress. The plan was set in motion while sitting on the patio of the historic Eola with 4 little girls.  The historic Eola is still a favorite for many reasons, one being able to sit out on the balcony of our room, enjoy a glass of wine and a view of the Mississippi River.

  Fast forward to July and the Buller family reunion in Roswell, Riudoso area of New Mexico. This again will be fun. They have planned a family reunion weekend full of fun and ending with the fireworks display in Roswell on the 4th of July.

  Once again, long weekends are our new travel delight trip. So, pack a bag and take off for a long weekend. Items needed: iPod, a good book(hardcover), map, ice

chest, and a really good navigator. Relax, have fun and allow extra time to stop at those fresh vegetable stands off the beaten path. Traveling for fun.........t'lynn

 Not to forget the Saints...pre-season begins in August. Who Dat!!

Simple Shoes and the Black Dress

I went shopping via the www for a new pair of shoes to compliment all the black dresses in my closet, most have not been worn yet.  I have several weddings and receptions to attend this spring and summer. I found this slingback in leopard and on sale. My shopping is done for the day. All I need is a simple slingback heel. 
t'lynn

To Thine Own Self Be True and Stay Warm

   What a week in Cenla. Below freezing temps, road, bridges, and interstates closed. Add on the fall of a heavy frozen limb or tree on your house, patio, or just to mess up the yard. Lest we not forget the power outages suffered by most of the area. Thankfully, Mr.L was told via the power company trucks were working a few blocks over, so he stood out on the sidewalk and waved the city truck down as it passed and soon power was restored. Thank-you Mr.L for standing in the freezing precipitation and we all know that didn't feel good. Thank-you.

    Leading into the title of the blog I'll say Mr's actions were those that make him true to himself. That's the way he is made. All true, all the time to his family. A few weeks ago my blog was "don't be cruel to a heart that's true". I read an article today on honesty and lengths people will go to NOT be honest, taking a road of dishonesty and attempting to call it anything but the truth..it's a lie.  I always find it entertaining when persons, be it family, friends, acquaintances go out of their way to NOT tell the truth, then the truth is revealed and when confronted their reasoning appears more an act of stupidity. C'mon.. the truth always comes out and the person that has worked so hard to NOT be honest, at this point has questionable test scores,especially in reasoning. I'll have to give up the assumption that people will get what I consider a reasonable thinking person to get the first time around, if you're a "give them the benefit of doubt" person it might take two to three times. But in the end it's the same lesson, "the truth always wins,it may not be pretty, but truth wins" and it reveals so much about a person's character. Choose wisely when committing to a relationship, deeper than the surface, hiding behind

dishonesty and half-truths(?). It can't be good for anyone in the party.  Let's party..but make sure it's a party no one has to run from with hiding and lies. It's not good for post party stories! We love our stories after the party.
  Now... The lesson for the week is tell the truth. Heck, don't just tell the truth, volunteer the truth. What do you have to hide? Nothing, that's the best part. Now, if you've had a half-wit, not forthcoming incident done to you, remember it will happen again, it's just a matter of when. And when it surfaces, it's sorely superficial, that's the make-up of the person, all "on the surface". If it were a true thoughtful, deep, caring and loving relationship there would be nothing to hide.
The truth is simple and easy. Amazing is the fact the people aren't what they believe themselves to be, so they use an ugly curtain to cover up what they believe themselves to be. My personal belief is that these persons hide the truths to make themselves feel as if they are at the top of the ladder. I don't like ladders and that's the truth:-)
  Next post will be lighter, not for any reader, but for me..Truth be told, I'll meet you here!

~t'lynn~

Heading Toward Springtime...let's run...

   Tomorrow has me visualizing the possibility of seeing an early azalea bloom, soon to follow March and the first day of spring. Taking into consideration, I won't be watching the Saints play in the SuperBowl, always next year! I'm looking forward to spring, springtime, and summer.
   January '11 has been somewhat busy for our household.Those day trips taking a few hours to and from, welcomed out of town guest, and cold, cold weather. Running in and out of house to save the few plants I have left, has me questioning myself as to why I keep these few plants, they are easily replaced. I'm keeping them, just to see if they will make it. Fingers crossed.
Ending the month with a weekend trip to Katy and Gruene TX was a great way to close the month. Gruene Hall is filled with character and comfort making "Texas Oldest Dance Hall" worthy of the title. Listening to Rodney Crowell read from his memoir "Chinaberry Sidewalks" weaving song with acoustic guitar was again the perfect last show of the month for Gruene Hall. A good time was had by all.

    Starting off the year looking forward to next month and everything February has to enjoy. Meche's King Cakes and Valentine's Day, my favorite holiday. If you know me, you know this is my favorite of the hallmark declared holidays. No gifts necessary, just wishes of like and love, usually in pink, red, and white. I see no harm in a few dozen roses, without the thorns, if it makes one happy. If fresh flowers make you smile, buy a bouquet for yourself. Fresh flowers make almost everyone smile. It is Valentine's Day, eat a slice of king cake or a favorite chocolate and enjoy!
teresa

"Don't Be Cruel to a Heart That's True" in '11

   Who's not singing this tune now? Love this catchy tune Elvis gave us so many years ago. Don't Be Cruel, the song, is for another day. It's the action of "being cruel" I want to address in this post. Not amore' heart love, the everyday heart that's true to a person through thick and thin. Count them and be thankful.

    Everyone has a circle. Circle of family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends. Inside each of these separate circles we are fortunate to find the individuals with the heart that is TRUE, dedicated, and appreciate the relationship with aplomb. They deserve the truest heart we can offer. Take time and listen to the random thoughts, ramblings, or feelings these dear people are verbalizing. Don't smirk(save that for another time). Listen to them, acknowledge them, and laugh with them about these stories. Try to find the quiet "true heart" that is willing and wanting only good intent. Ever a skeptic, I've always known the "true heart" exist. Had I not been fortunate enough to know a "true heart" person and persons, I  wouldn't feel compelled to post this rambling. Lesson resolution, "don't be cruel to a heart's that true" in 2011.

T'lynn radio signing off. All Elvis...for today;-)

Heading to Gruene Hall Jan. 29 for a different Rodney show in "the Hall". "A One Man Show" book reading from his memoir, "Chinaberry Sidewalks".